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Independence, MO —
On Thursday, Eileen Payne’s T-shirt, earrings, purse and cell phone holder all shared one thing in common.
They all bore the likeness of Elvis Presley.
“If it’s Elvis, I probably have it,” says Payne, of Oak Grove, laughing. “But, they’re always coming out with something new.”
Payne, 66, was living in Independence 35 years ago this month and was at home with her infant son when she heard the news on the radio. Elvis Presley, the singer, the cultural icon, “The King,” was dead at age 42.
As the president of the Stuck on Elvis Fan Club, which holds its meetings in Independence, Payne has adored Elvis since she was 12 years old, but it’s been in the past decade that her collection of memorabilia has grown.
Through the end of August, a selection of her Elvis collection is on display at the Bingham-Waggoner Estate, which has hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Payne shared a few of her favorite items from her collection this week with The Examiner.
5. Rug and telephone.
Off of Old U.S. 40 in Kingdom City, Mo., Nostalgiaville USA has provided several beloved pieces for Payne’s collection. The King himself starts dancing when the telephone rings, and it plays his hit “Don’t Be Cruel.”
The retro-colored rug reads “Elvis lives,” with the second of the two words rearranging the letters of The King’s name – but Payne believes he did truly die in 1977. After all, Payne has met Elvis Presley’s nurse Marian Cocke, who was there during the last years of his life.
4. Tiffany lamp.
Payne received an advertisement in the mail for a Tiffany lamp bearing Elvis’ image. She immediately showed it to her husband – and he bought the lamp for her birthday.
What does Gary, Eileen Payne’s husband of 45 years, think of her Elvis obsession?
“Well, he thinks I’m a little over the top,” she says, laughing, “but he’s very supportive of my Elvis addiction. When he sees anything that has Elvis on it, if it isn’t super expensive, he’ll buy it for me.”
3. Photoplay magazine.
For the price of a quarter, in March 1960, you could purchase a copy of Photoplay magazine, and win a ‘welcome home’ date with Elvis, who was then returning to the United States after being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army. Payne’s collection includes an original of the magazine, which ceased publication in the United States in 1980.
On Thursday, Eileen Payne’s T-shirt, earrings, purse and cell phone holder all shared one thing in common.
They all bore the likeness of Elvis Presley.
“If it’s Elvis, I probably have it,” says Payne, of Oak Grove, laughing. “But, they’re always coming out with something new.”
Payne, 66, was living in Independence 35 years ago this month and was at home with her infant son when she heard the news on the radio. Elvis Presley, the singer, the cultural icon, “The King,” was dead at age 42.
As the president of the Stuck on Elvis Fan Club, which holds its meetings in Independence, Payne has adored Elvis since she was 12 years old, but it’s been in the past decade that her collection of memorabilia has grown.
Through the end of August, a selection of her Elvis collection is on display at the Bingham-Waggoner Estate, which has hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Payne shared a few of her favorite items from her collection this week with The Examiner.
5. Rug and telephone.
Off of Old U.S. 40 in Kingdom City, Mo., Nostalgiaville USA has provided several beloved pieces for Payne’s collection. The King himself starts dancing when the telephone rings, and it plays his hit “Don’t Be Cruel.”
The retro-colored rug reads “Elvis lives,” with the second of the two words rearranging the letters of The King’s name – but Payne believes he did truly die in 1977. After all, Payne has met Elvis Presley’s nurse Marian Cocke, who was there during the last years of his life.
4. Tiffany lamp.
Payne received an advertisement in the mail for a Tiffany lamp bearing Elvis’ image. She immediately showed it to her husband – and he bought the lamp for her birthday.
What does Gary, Eileen Payne’s husband of 45 years, think of her Elvis obsession?
“Well, he thinks I’m a little over the top,” she says, laughing, “but he’s very supportive of my Elvis addiction. When he sees anything that has Elvis on it, if it isn’t super expensive, he’ll buy it for me.”
3. Photoplay magazine.
For the price of a quarter, in March 1960, you could purchase a copy of Photoplay magazine, and win a ‘welcome home’ date with Elvis, who was then returning to the United States after being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army. Payne’s collection includes an original of the magazine, which ceased publication in the United States in 1980.
2. The young boy.
Payne’s brother once gave her a doll of Elvis as he appeared at age 2. Next to the doll is a photo print of Elvis, with his parents, at age 2, to show the resemblance of the doll and actual likeness.
“My sister-in-law says, ‘You have to be an Elvis lover to want Elvis as a little boy!’” Payne says. “But, I love it.”
1. Train collection.
Sorry, fans. Payne’s favorite item among her Elvis memorabilia isn’t actually part of the display at the Bingham-Waggoner. Payne has an entire Elvis-filled room at her home, and her Elvis train collection – with a different song representing the different cars – runs around the top of the room.
“It’s pretty awesome,” she says.
